Risks & Recovery After Liposuction

Liposuction can work wonders on stubborn areas of fat, but you need to keep in mind that it is a surgical procedure. Dr. Sorokin educates the women and men who visit him for liposuction (lipo) from New Jersey and Philadelphia about the risks and recovery period involved. Even though your incisions will be fairly small, many of the underlying tissues, blood vessels, and nerves can be affected during surgery. As a result, you will need to take the time to heal properly and minimize the risk of complications.

If you'd like to learn more about liposuction recovery or possible complications, request your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sorokin today. He is dedicated to providing his patients with options that increase surgical comfort and minimize recovery time, options like Smartlipo™. Delaware Valley Plastic Surgery is a Smartlipo™ training center and Dr. Sorokin is the first South New Jersey liposuction surgeon to offer this innovative treatment.

Recovery After Liposuction

Throughout your surgical experience, Dr. Sorokin uses techniques that allow for faster recovery and minimized discomfort. Your actual recovery period will depend on many factors, including the liposuction method used, number of treatment sites, amount of fat tissue removed, age, heredity, and how closely you follow post-surgical instructions.

After your liposuction procedure, you will need to get plenty of rest and limit your movement (other than walking) to allow for proper healing. Any bandages, drains, and stitches needed for the procedure will be removed during follow up visits. You will wear a support garment for several weeks after the surgery to reduce swelling and help protect and shape the areas treated with liposuction. Patients sometimes experience mild to moderate discomfort that can be controlled with pain medication. Most people are ready to return to work in about 1 to 2 weeks, and around this time can begin light aerobic exercise.

Your slimmer body shape should begin to reveal itself within a few weeks after surgery, though some swelling may remain for several months.

Risks and Complications

The vast majority of people who choose liposuction are happy with the outcome of their procedure. In rare cases, however, complications can develop. All patients need to be informed about the risks they face before making the decision to undergo surgery. Those who request a consultation with Dr. Sorokin are provided with a thorough discussion of all relevant risks. As always, you need to decide for yourself if the benefits of liposuction outweigh the possible complications, and Dr. Sorokin will never pressure you to make a decision about surgery before you are ready. If you are concerned about a particular risk, be sure to talk with Dr. Sorokin in greater detail during your consultation.